The buyer is Island Realty Trust, and one of the trustees is John A. Roberts 3rd of Island Food Products. The sale price was $1.75 million. The 4,100-square-foot multi-level building fronts the town parking lot in Post Office Square on one side and Church street on the other side.

“We are very excited to invest in another property in downtown Edgartown that has a great history and a tradition of great restaurants,” Mr. Roberts told the Gazette Wednesday. The group also owns the Eleven North restaurant on North Water street and the building that houses Sharky’s Cantina on Upper Main street.

He said the group has reached a deal with an unnamed Island restaurateur to run a traditional family-style Italian restaurant that will be open throughout the year. “We are very much committed to the community and offering affordable menu items and being open year-round,” Mr. Roberts said.

He said the restaurant will offer a wide variety of traditional Italian food. He said there will be an announcement soon about who will be running the restaurant, and he said it is someone who is already operating a restaurant on the Island.

Mr. Roberts said the restaurant will be renovated but the general structure won’t be altered. The new restaurant, like Lattanzi’s, will continue to have a fine dining area and a pizza area. Mr. Roberts said there will be an expansion of the takeout area, with more products offered to go. He said the restaurant should be reopened by early spring.

“We congratulate the Lattanzis on a great run there and wish them the best,” Mr. Roberts said.

The restaurant’s last day of business was Tuesday, Nov. 26.

“It’s very bittersweet because we love our customers and we love making pizzas for them,” Mr. Lattanzi said. Mr. Lattanzi had operated the business for the last 20 years, and before that he worked at Andrea’s, a restaurant that is today Atria.

“The customers were always appreciated and we’re going to miss them the most,” he said.

Mr. Lattanzi said he and his wife Cathy plan to travel and relax. “It’s been 30 years since I’ve been to a Fourth of July party, you know what I’m saying,” Mr. Lattanzi said. “It’ll be nice to kind of have the summers off a little bit. We’re just looking forward to enjoying our Island.”

He said he’s loved running the restaurant and working with summer employees from around the world, but “it’s come time to learn how to run a fishing boat.”

Mr. Lattanzi will also continue to be involved in the local Wild Food Challenge, which tasks residents with creating a dish with at least one wild ingredient. Mr. Lattanzi has served as a judge at the competition, which takes place on the Vineyard and other locations around the world. In the next year, he said, the challenge will take him to Maui, France, Italy, Finland, and New Zealand.

Mr. Lattanzi said he hopes to be involved in other ventures on the Island, including working with the council on aging and Boys’ and Girls’ Club.

The restaurant will have a tag sale in the coming weeks to sell wine glasses, dishes, silverware and used restaurant equipment. “I don’t need 90 to 100 wine glasses at my house,” Mr. Lattanzi said, noting there will be inexpensive goods and free items. “I’ve got pickle buckets. If any of the fishermen want to come by there will be deals to be had.”

“So many wonderful people . . . celebrities, dignitaries, it’s been a wonderful journey as far as that goes,” Mr. Lattanzi said. “It’s like the Seinfeld show. As much as we all loved it, it went out on top. And we were hoping to do the same thing.”

Comments (29)

James P, Edg/New Haven

It would have been nice if he reassured everyone that he sold the business and buildings to someone who has the best interest of the community in mind or at least gave us a hint to who they are or what they have in mind. I guess it's nice to read about the comfy retirement he has planned though. But not really news.

Dear James P,
We have sold the real estate (not business) to and Island investment Co. that has other properties on the Island. They have in the past, leased to upstanding, Island minded tenants with good intentions. I have not been told who will be working with them and will ask them to share that info with all of us as soon as they know.I'd prefer not to guess. My Wife, Cathy, and I will be retiring from the restaurant business after 30 yrs. We will be actively seeking other projects around the Island & Internationally. No comfy times yet! If you would like a bigger news story, stay tuned.....

Oh no! Been going to MV on vacation for past 10 summers and Lattanzi's was our first stop after we got off the ferry!! Now where will we get our clam pizza??????? I was pregnant with our daughter when I first had the clam pie and I thought it was just a craving but that craving continued for 9 more summers!!!!! Our kids are 5 1/2 and 9 and they loved all of the food so! We will take away great family memories from our dinners there!!! We will miss our tradition very much!

I guess sometimes you need to move on and live life. Enjoy your silver years. I've enjoyed your restaurant many times. Any idea when the tag sale may be? I'm starting a catering business and am interested in what you may have for sale.

Albert, Congratulations and best of luck to you and Cathy on your next chapter. I will miss Lattanzi’s. I have enjoyed your restaurant over the years. I so enjoyed your fettuccine alfredo. You were kind enough to hire Howell and me around '90 to break down the kitchen at Andrea’s. I remember my first night’s dinner- stuffed shrimp, a little overbrown for a guest, but perfect for me. You treated me like a king that summer. Best to you!

Congratulations Albert and Kathy! I am happy for you, but sad to see the restaurant close - I loved that place! I have such fond memories of the night I had dinner with you, Albert, and then took a sunset ride around the chops in your antique convertible before dessert. I love the plans for the food challenge touring - I wish you all the best in your retirement!

Albert and Cathy: You will be missed. We've enjoyed many fine meals in both the fine dining and café. Pizza was best on the island. New Year's Eve dinners were terrific. Best wishes going forward. One question is the disposition of unused restaurant gift certificates.

I will never forget the first time I ate at the pizzeria. Sausage and pepperoni calzone to die for! After that it was countless delicious pizzas (hands down the best on island) and delightful dinners. You will be missed Albert. Good luck to you and Cathy in